The School
The School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at James Cook University is a multidisciplinary unit that focuses on delivering high quality education in human and animal health, and tropical diseases. The school is located in the north-east corner of the Townsville Campus in North Queensland, Australia.
The school is divided into 5 disciplines: Microbiology and Immunology; Physiology and Pharmacology; Animal Health and Production; Veterinary Anatomy and Pathology; and Veterinary Clinical Sciences, which play a significant teaching role in a number of degree programs, including administrative responsibility of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science and Bachelor of Veterinary Science.
With a growing academic staff and student population, the research profile of the School is an evolving entity in human and animal health, as well as a focus on zoonotic diseases and biosecurity in a bid to protect the integrity of the Australian shore.
The School’s research strengths are currently in tropical animal diseases; tropical cattle production; tropical infectious diseases and immunopathogenesis; aquatic pathobiology; environmental and public health microbiology; reproductive physiology; comparative cardiorespiratory physiology; neurophysiology; and emerging infectious diseases of wildlife.
Facilities
The teaching facilities include suites of teaching and research laboratories for anatomy and biomedical sciences with tissue culture suites; histology processing and microscopy; a radioisotope suite; and large and small animal housing, including aquatic animals.
Veterinary science facilities on the Townsville campus also include 80 hectares of livestock paddocks and dedicated laboratories.
The purpose-built JCU Veterinary Emergency Centre and Hospital runs adjacent to the School on the Townsville campus. The Hospital includes operating theatres and radiology facilities as well as a public emergency and referral veterinary clinical service.
JCU’s cattle station, Fletcherview Research Station, is managed by the School and is located near Charters Towers, 98 kilometres inland from Townsville. The station incorporates laboratory facilities and accommodation and is a resource for students and researchers in the School.
Veterinary science teaching facilities on the Atherton Tablelands include the JCU Veterinary Teaching Resource Centre and the Tableland Veterinary Service Large and Small Animal Clinic at Malanda. The School also has facilities at Aachilpa and the Townsville Veterinary Clinic.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences is fully accredited by the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the Veterinary Council of New Zealand and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK. This means that course graduates of JCU will be eligible for registration as veterinarians in all states of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The Bachelor of Laboratory Science is fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS). This means course graduates of JCU will be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Laboratory Scientists (AIMS), and this will increase employment opportunities for graduates both in Australia and overseas.
HOS Welcome
Organisational Chart
School History
Strategic Intent
Campus Environment